Hu Liena: Huxiao Was Very Close to Me Back Then

Ding-dong, ding-dong~

The preparatory bell rang, signaling that there were still thirty minutes before class.

On the field, most students saw Xiao Ji and the imposing group of upperclassmen. None of them dared invite trouble, so they pretended not to see anything and hurried away.

The other side had already been stunned for three seconds. Adding the two half-second pauses in between, it had been four seconds in total.

Although Hu Liena's Soul Power had nearly run dry, she still had no intention of surrendering without a fight.

However, just as she gathered her Soul Power and her Soul Ring was about to light up again, a loud roar came with the sound of a heavy stomp.

"Enough! Dragon Rhino Trample!"

Xue Long, who had been hiding behind the four stunned people, lit up his second Soul Ring and fiercely stomped his right foot.

At once, transparent ripples of shock traveled along the ground, striking the four people who had already been stunned for four seconds first.

Just as those four were about to recover from their dizziness, they were hit by the shockwaves and fell into a daze once more.

Then came Hu Liena, who was about to gather her Charm Light Wave.

Hit by the tremors from the ground, Hu Liena's legs went numb and her Soul Skill was interrupted.

After using his second Soul Skill, Dragon Rhino Trample, Xue Long directly shoved aside the two people in front of him. He took two steps forward and reached for Hu Liena's shoulder.

Even as Xue Long moved, the trampling shock effect of his Soul Skill remained active.

Hu Liena twisted aside to avoid the hand reaching for her, but affected by his second Soul Skill, she could not keep her footing at all. She had barely taken one step when the trampling shockwaves sent her body falling uncontrollably to the side.

Seeing that his grab was about to miss, Xue Long immediately changed his claw into a palm strike and swung straight at Hu Liena's back with tremendous force.

His opponent's chain of crowd control had kept him, a two-ring Soul Grandmaster, hiding behind others the entire time. By now, he was thoroughly furious.

He had to teach them a lesson!

Smack!

Xue Long's Soul Power-wrapped palm came down, but it did not strike Hu Liena's back.

Instead, it struck a... hard arm, covered in dark dragon patterns against a platinum base.

Martial Soul, Platinum Dragon-Patterned Arms!

Xue Long looked up and met Xu Huxiao's black eyes beneath his golden hair.

The moment their gazes met, Xue Long inexplicably felt uneasy, as if an awakened beast had fixed its eyes on him.

At the critical moment—

Xu Huxiao had arrived!

One hand caught Hu Liena's falling body, while the other blocked Xue Long's heavy strike.

When Xue Long's palm collided with the Platinum Dragon-Patterned Arms, pain shot through his hand. That arm was practically a real iron arm.

These were Xu Huxiao's Platinum Dragon-Patterned Arms. The platinum color of his Martial Soul was not merely for show—it also possessed formidable defensive power. At least, during testing, a normal knife could barely leave any marks on it. Only by cutting with force could someone leave a faint red line on his arm.

Of course, if someone hacked at it with a cleaver, then without using the Multiplication Soul Skill to increase his defense, he would definitely bleed and suffer muscle damage.

"Well, if it isn't Little Three Seconds. We meet again."

As soon as Xu Huxiao finished speaking, he knocked Xue Long's arm away. During the instant before Xue Long could react, he raised his leg and delivered a straight kick to Xue Long's abdomen.

Bang!

Xue Long's huge body was sent flying uncontrollably by that powerful kick.

"You... you insulted me again, pfft!"

Xue Long had just gotten up after falling when, before he could finish speaking, the blow to his abdomen churned his stomach and made him spew out his breakfast.

Xu Huxiao helped Hu Liena up. Seeing her pale face, he asked with concern, "Are you all right?"

"I... I'm fine."

Hu Liena's voice trembled slightly, not only because her legs were numb and her lingering fear had yet to fade.

It was also because this was the first time a boy had ever been so close to her—and he was a boy she liked. His steady, strong hand was still around her waist, and the warmth coming from it made her heart pound wildly.

What a strange feeling. Is it because I overused my Soul Power? Hu Liena wondered softly.

"As long as you're fine."

Once Hu Liena had steadied herself, Bao Jingjing took advantage of the others being distracted. She shoved aside one of the people surrounding her and ran over to Xu Huxiao.

"Twinkle, twinkle, little Jingjing, Black Crystal Abalone is here. Nana, this is for you~"

"Thank you."

Bao Jingjing handed the Black Crystal Abalone to Hu Liena, then explained the entire situation to Xu Huxiao.

After hearing everything, Xu Huxiao, with his adult mindset, understood. They were simply trying to make trouble for him by using a roundabout method.

He swept his gaze around before settling it on Xiao Ji, whose hair was a mixture of purple and black.

"Looks like you're quite the responsible boss. Still not giving up, are you? You just had to stand up for your underlings."

Xiao Ji looked disdainful. "Xu Huxiao, I advise you not to meddle in other people's business. I didn't come for you today. I came for the two girls behind you."

"Step aside now, and I won't hold it against you."

Xu Huxiao smiled. A yellow Soul Ring rose and fell around him as Yang Origin Soul Power circulated through his entire body. He stepped forward one pace at a time.

"Heh, you won't hold it against me? But you bullied my friends. Now the question is whether I choose to hold it against you."

Seeing his aggressive manner, Xiao Ji revealed a smug smile, as though his scheme had succeeded. He provoked, "What can a level-thirteen Soul Master rookie like you do? Hit me?"

As he spoke, Xiao Ji even patted his own cheek.

He wanted Xu Huxiao to strike first. As long as Xu Huxiao could not resist attacking him, then he could summon his Martial Soul and fight back afterward. His father would have no grounds to blame him.

Seeing Xiao Ji act like that, a huge question appeared in Xu Huxiao's mind. Did this guy have some kind of masochistic fetish?

Even if that thought might become part of the other man's play, Xu Huxiao's fist did not hesitate in the slightest.

He took two steps forward and threw a punch.

Wherever the other man pointed, he hit!

Xu Huxiao had always preferred taking the initiative rather than passively defending.

Bang!

A perfect uppercut smashed Xiao Ji's smug grin out of shape. Two front teeth flew out, and like Xue Long, his body was sent flying uncontrollably backward.

"Boss!"

"Young Master Xiao, are you all right?!"

The lackeys behind him cried out in alarm.

Xiao Ji was dazed from the punch. The right side of his face instantly swelled high, and his hands trembled as he cradled his two beloved front teeth. He was furious beyond measure.

"Ah! You... you actually hit me!"

"And you hit my most handsome face! Ah! Unforgivable! I'm going to fucking kill you, damn it!"

"Li Wei, Wang Hong, what are you standing around for? Summon your Martial Souls and beat this brat up!"

After roaring, purple Soul Power surged in Xiao Ji's right hand. A purple war halberd entwined with a dragon beast condensed into existence.

Martial Soul, Dragon Soul War Halberd!

With the war halberd in hand, two yellow Soul Rings circled around it. Xiao Ji raised the halberd and pointed it forward, its blade aimed directly at Xu Huxiao.

"Xu Huxiao, you struck first. Don't blame me for bullying someone younger than me, then. If I don't vent this anger, I, Xiao Ji, won't be able to rule Spirit Hall Academy!"

"Brothers, summon your Martial Souls! Get him!"

At their boss's command, seven upperclassmen stepped forward and all summoned their Martial Souls. Four were one-ring Soul Masters with ten-year Soul Rings, two were one-ring Soul Masters with hundred-year Soul Rings, and only one lanky student was a Soul Grandmaster with one white and one yellow Soul Ring.

Adding Xue Long, who had gotten back to his feet, there were three Soul Grandmasters and six Soul Masters in total. The pressure they gave off was immense.

Yet when Xu Huxiao saw the formation before him, the corners of his mouth lifted slightly. Facing nine alone, his fighting spirit surged.

He had long been craving a battle with at least some pressure!

His platinum fist and palm collided before his chest with a metallic ring. Xu Huxiao stepped back, holding one palm forward and one fist behind as he assumed an opening combat stance.

"Come on. Let me see what kind of trash you all are!"

The battle was on the verge of breaking out.

The two girls behind Xu Huxiao were extremely anxious. Two fists could hardly fend off four hands—how could one person defeat nine opponents?

"You're ganging up on the weak with numbers! That's unfair!"

"Brother Huxiao, leave! Don't worry about us anymore."

Bao Jingjing spoke indignantly through tears, her eyes shimmering with moisture. But there was nothing she could do. After all, she was only a Food-type Soul Master without any combat ability.

Throw abalone at them?

That would be like throwing meat buns at a dog.

Hu Liena was equally anxious, but she did not lose her composure. Instead, she found the right position behind Xu Huxiao and gathered her Soul Power. She had one last Charm Light Wave left and had to use it at the most suitable moment.

That was right. She would face the enemy together with Xu Huxiao!

This was what she could do to help him right now. And with Xu Huxiao there, all fear vanished from her heart, leaving only a warm current of courage surging within her.

Classmate Huxiao, now I have the same courage as you.

Just as both sides were about to make their move, a sharp feminine shout rang out.

"Stop!"

Orleans and Yun Ji had arrived, carrying breakfast in their hands. Orleans still had her signature high ponytail of fiery red hair.

Two more people had come with them.

Xie Yue and Ao Li'ao.

They had been morning running with Xu Huxiao, but they had been left somewhat far behind. The route for the three of them was not the academy field; they had changed it to a lap around the academy and planned to meet at the field in the end.

Having arrived at that moment, they happened to encounter the standoff.

There was no need to ask. It was obvious that a fight was about to break out!

Orleans set the breakfast aside, looked at the other side, then looked at her own side.

Her side had seven one-ring Soul Masters, while the other side had nine people, including three Soul Grandmasters. This did not look good.

"Hey, Huxiao. I won't ask too much about the rest, but what are you thinking?"

Orleans looked at Xu Huxiao and spoke somewhat awkwardly. What she was asking was how they should fight seven against nine when the gap in strength was so great.

Originally, according to the wager at the Seven-Star Auction House, she and her younger brother were supposed to call him boss after losing. But after several months together, Xu Huxiao had taken the initiative to cancel the wager and said they could address each other normally.

That gave Orleans a more favorable impression of the Xu Family boy. The girls of Dorm 602 and the boys of Dorm 603 often ran into each other because of Yun Ji and her younger brother, and they had gradually become familiar.

However, Orleans was naturally competitive and always wanted to be first in everything. Having lost to Xu Huxiao in terms of luck, coupled with his impressive display against upperclassmen during the opening ceremony, made her want to compete with him.

Thus, Orleans acted like an easygoing big sister around everyone else, but whenever she faced Xu Huxiao, she always felt that speaking was somehow awkward.

Xie Yue and Ao Li'ao also looked toward Xu Huxiao. After three months of morning training together, both had sparred with him, and without exception, both had been easily defeated.

At present, Xu Huxiao was the strongest in their group of seven, so everyone was waiting for his opinion.

Seeing that people had arrived on his side as well, Xu Huxiao raised his gaze slightly. With a casual glance, he noticed a figure on the field stands who seemed to be watching them.

It was Gale, the dean of academic affairs!

Since someone was watching, Xu Huxiao instinctively did not want to expose too much of his strength. After all, no one knew whether tomorrow or an accident would come first. It was best not to reveal the trump cards in his hand.

That was one of the lessons he had learned from the life-and-death crisis in that cave.

It seemed he would have to put aside fighting nine alone. The best option was a seven-against-nine team battle.

"The two Soul Grandmasters on the other side, Xiao Ji and Xue Long, are mine. The other seven are up to you."

Xu Huxiao did not waste words and directly assigned their opponents.

"They're Soul Grandmasters with optimal Soul Ring configurations, Huxiao. Can you handle that?" Orleans asked doubtfully.